A UK attraction has been named as the world’s best destination for spreading Christmas joy in a new study, sharing the top spot with Central Park in New York
Christmas time transforms many global destinations into enchanting wonderlands. From the snow-dusted Central Park in New York to the festive magic conjured up at Walt Disney World in Florida.
A new study has ranked top attractions worldwide to determine which delivers the most Christmas cheer. Surprisingly, a UK destination has clinched the global top spot.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London has been crowned the best in the world, boasting a 9.75/10 Christmas joy score. The tour offers visitors an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Harry Potter series, allowing fans to explore the sets, props and costumes used in the films.
During the winter season, the sets undergo a festive transformation as part of the Hogwarts in the Snow feature. Matching this score on the list compiled by travel experts at AttractionTickets.com is New York City’s Central Park, reports the Express.
New York dominates the top 15 with five entries including Bryant Park, The Met, Top of the Rock, Times Square, and Central Park – earning the city the title of the world’s Christmas joy capital.
Following closely is Grand Place – Grote Markt in Brussels, Belgium, then Bryant Park and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Another UK destination making the list is Center Parcs, Longleat Forest.
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark received a Christmas joy score of 9.4, while Center Parcs Sherwood Forest trails just behind at 9.3. Disneyland Paris, Center Parcs Elveden Forest and The Met – Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York are also on the list.
Oliver Brendon, a travel expert and CEO at AttractionTickets.com, commented: “Whether you’re booking a last-minute holiday for 2025, or planning your Christmas break for 2026 already, this data is a great indicator of where you’re likely to experience the most festive joy around Christmas time.
“It’s no surprise that New York locations, like Central Park and Times Square, performed well due to their global appeal, but it’s great to see how more traditionally family-orientated holidays, like Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris, are proving just as impactful when it comes to Christmas joy.
“From the data, it’s clear that the settings where people feel most festive are those that are internationally sought-after and have Christmas-specific events, alongside encouraging inclusive family-centred experiences.”
Top 15 destinations that bring the most Christmas joy
1. Warner Bros Studio Tour London (UK) – 9.75.
1. Central Park (New York, USA) – 9.75.
2. Grand Place – Grote Markt (Brussels, Belgium) – 9.7.
3. Bryant Park (New York, USA) – 9.65.
4. Walt Disney World Resort (Florida, USA) 9.55.
5. Center Parcs – Longleat Forest (Wiltshire, UK) – 9.45.
6. Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark) – 9.4.
7. Center Parcs – Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, UK) – 9.3.
8. Disneyland Paris (France) – 9.25.
8. Center Parcs – Elveden Forest (Suffolk, UK) – 9.25.
9. The Met – Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA) – 8.8.
9. Old Québec (Québec City, Canada) – 8.8.
10. Top of the Rock (New York, US) – 8.7.
11. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) – 8.65.
11. Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Vienna, Austria) – 8.65.
12. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (Québec City, Canada) 8.6.
13. Kew Gardens (London, UK) – 8.55.
13. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna, Austria) – 8.55.
13. Prague Castle (Czech Republic) – 8.55.
14. Universal Orlando Resort (Florida, USA) – 8.5.
14. Times Square (New York, USA) – 8.5.
14. Universal Studios Hollywood (California, USA) – 8.5.
15. Liseberg Park (Göteborg, Sweden) – 8.4.